Indian Diaspora and Culture in the Indian Ocean: a

basis of cultural diplomacy in the Region

*Mohammed Khalid
Cultural diplomacy is a specified form of diplomacy that encourages a deliberate
effort of cultural exchange. It facilitates the understanding of foreign cultural dynamics. It
is exchange of ideas, information, art, lifestyles, value systems, traditions, beliefs and
other aspects of cultures. Cultural Diplomacy has existed as a practice for centuries.
Explorers, travelers, teachers and artists can be all considered examples of informal
ambassadors or early cultural diplomats. Cultural exchange can take place in fields
including art, sport, literature, music, science and the economy. Such exchange implies
communication and respect beteen the cultures involved, based on a sounder
understanding of respective values and a reduced susceptibility to stereotypes. Cultural
diplomacy plays an essential role in the integration of nations such as among the
countries of !frican "nion, #eague of !rab States, and European "nion and so on. It
helps to improve international relations and secure agreements that cover issues like
trade, investment, tourism, and security. $rivate and public enterprises and non%
governmental organisations &'()s* often employ cultural diplomacy as a means to
influence government policies for their benefit or the benefit of a given cause.
+
Individuals also
*Professor in Political Science, Department of Evening Studies, Panjab
University, Chandigarh
+
use cultural diplomacy to build friendships or in discussions to influence opinion about a
particular sub,ect.
India is a cultural hub of South !sia and the oldest civili-ation on the Indian
)cean littoral. .ecause of its long history, ancient religions, si-e, diversity and
ulpopulation, India is knon for its ancient civili-ation. Its cultural and religious sites,
temples, monuments such as /a, 0ahal and the (anges in 1aranasi are important
symbols of Indian culture. ! fascinating mix of ancient culture, India is endoed ith
enormous contrasts and architectural beauty. /he Indian culture has existed through the
ages precisely for the reasons of anti2uity, unity, continuity and the universality of its
nature. India has been spreading its culture in all directions. Its cultural influences can be
found in !fghanistan, Iran and Central !sian republics and can be felt in almost every
country on the littoral of Indian )cean.
3
Spread of Indian culture has been a to ay
process. /he travelers and pilgrims came to India at different times in history and
narrated the outside orld about Indian culture. .ut the most effective medium of spread
of Indian Culture has been the people of India ho migrated to the nook and corners of
the Indian )cean during the last millennia.
Indian Diaspora
/he Indian Diaspora is a generic term to describe the people ho migrated from
territories of India from time to time including their descendants. /his Diaspora is
currently estimated to number over tenty million. Composed of 4'5Is4 &Indian citi-ens
not residing in India* and 4$I)s4 &$ersons of Indian )rigin ho have ac2uired the
citi-enship of the host country*, and covers practically every part of the Indian )cean.
/he Indian Diaspora today constitutes an important, and in some respects uni2ue force in
orld culture.
6
Indians had been migrating to the far%flung coasts of the )cean for trade
and commerce since ancient times. 7oever, the origins of the modern Indian Diaspora
lie mainly
3
in the sub,ugation of India by the .ritish and its incorporation into the .ritish Empire.
Indians ere taken as indentured labour to other lands in the nineteenth%and early 38
th
century. Indian populations of 0auritius, 0alaysia, South !frica, 9enya, and Sri #anka
are such examples. )ver to million Indians fought on behalf of the empire in the .oer
:ars &+;;8%;+ and +;<<%+<83* and the to :orld :ars, and some remained behind to
claim the land on hich they had fought as their on. Emulating their ancestors, many
(u,arati traders left for lands of Southeast !sia in large numbers in the early part of the
tentieth century.
=
>inally, after the Second :orld :ar a large number of Indians
migrated to the oil economies of :est%!sia and have formed a substantial part of their
populations. Indians have been the main force in the transformation of the physical
landscape of much of the 0iddle East. In the recent decades professionals in virtually
every field have headed to every land around the Indian )cean for better opportunities.
$resence of Indian population in the littoral states of the Indian )cean is shon in the
table belo.
Table-1
Indian Diaspora in the littoral and island states of the Indian Ocean
Country )verseas Indian $opulation $ercentage of local population
South !frica +6, 88,888 3.?@
0o-ambi2ue 3+,888 8.+@
/an-ania <8,888 8.3@
9enya +, 88,888 8.6@
Sudan +,A88 %%
Israel =A,888 &?8888* 8.?@
Saudi !rabia +A, 88,888 B.+@
Cemen <,888 8.8=@
)man =, A8,888 +?.A@
6
"!E +6, 88,888 6+.?@
.ahrain +, A8,888 +<@
Datar +, 3A,888 +A.?@
9uait A, ;8,888 3+.B@
Iran ;88 8.88+@
0yanmar 38, 88,888 =.3@
/hailand BA,888 8.+@
Singapore 6, 38,888 B.B@
0alaysia 3=, 88,888 ;.?@
Indonesia 3A,888 8.8+@
!ustralia 3, 6A,888 +.+@
Island States
0adagascar 3;,888 8.+A@
0aldives <,888 6.+@
0auritius ;, AA,888 B;.6@
5eunion 3, 38,888 3;@
Seychelles A,888 B.3@
Sri #anka ;,A8,888 =.=@
>rom :ikipedia, the free encyclopedia, available at, httpEFFen.ikipedia.orgFikiF'on%
residentGIndianGandG$ersonGofGIndianG)rigin
0illions of Indians are living in different countries of Indian )cean littoral.
Except Somalia, D,ibouti, Eritrea, Egypt, Ira2 and Iran, every country in the region has a
si-eable Indian population, ho are not only notable investors but also opinion%makers in
their respective countries. /hey also hold important posts in the government and in vital
non%government sectors in the country of their adoption.
A
Spreading Indian languages and
culture they have formed Indian associations and organi-ations at local, regional and
national level. /hese organi-ations are based on Indian
=
regions, religions and casts etc. creating mini%Indias in those countries. /hey act as true
cultural diplomats and messengers of India. ! perusal of Indian organisationsFassociations
in the states of Indian )cean region reveals various patterns of migration from India,
preferred destinations from particular Indian regions and communities, and also the kind
of activities they indulge in to keep Indian languages and culture alive. /he same is given
belo.
South Africa
Indians have settled in South !frica since long. !rt of #iving has its branches in
$retoria, Durban, and Hohannesburg. !rya $ratinidhi Sabha South !frica has office in
Durban. /here are organi-ations based on Indian regions such as !ndhra 0aha Sabha of
South !frica in. 9a-ulu%'atalI (u,arat Sanskruti 9endra, 'atalI (u,rati $arishad,
/ransvaalI (u,arati $arishadI 1ereening (u,arati Seva Sma,I Shree .enoni (u,arati
'atalI /amil 1edic Society DurbanI South !frican /amil >ederationI :estern Cape /amil
>ederation Cape /on. 5eligion based Indian organi-ations in South !frica include .al
.hakte .ha,an 0andalI Divine 7indu !ssociation, 9a-uluJ'atalI 7indu 0aha SabhaI
Islamic )rganisationI 9athiaad 7indu Seva Sama,I $retoria 7indu )rganisationI Surat
7indu !ssociation 9a-ulu%'atalI Shree !-adville 7indu Seva Sama, 5ooderpoortI Shri
$retoria 7indu Seva Sma, $retoriaI Shree Sanathan Dharma SabhaI I. S. 9. C. ). ',
5amakrishna Centre )f South !frica, /ransvaalI 7indu Seva Sma,I Shri Saminarayan
0andir &.!$S* 0ayfair :estI and Satsang 0ahila 0andal. )ther Indian organi-ations
include, Indian !cademyI Indian !ssociation of South !fricaI .u-me !dabI /he Indian
!cademy of South !frica 9a-ulu%'atalI !ryan .enevolent 7ome 9a-ulu%'atalI and
Indian .usiness >orum Durban.
B

Mozambique
Indian organi-ations in 0o-ambi2ue include !ssociacao 0uculmana De /ete
&Sunni%Hamat%0uslim !ssociation of /ete*I
A
Comunidade 7indu, 'ampulaI Comunidade 0ahometana, 0aputo &0uslim
Community*I and Indian $rofessional and .usiness Council &I'C)'*, 0aputo.
Tanzania
/an-ania has a large number of organi-ations formed by the people of Indian
origin. Such associations include .ilal 0uslim 0ission Dar es SalaamI 9ho,a Shia
Ithnasheri Supreme Council Dar es SalaamI Shree 7indu 0andalI Shri Hain SanghI Shree
7indu Council of /an-aniaI Sanatan Dharma Sabha, /an-aniaI and Saminarayan
0andal. )rganisations based on Indian casts include Shree .hatia 0aha,anI Shree
#ohana 0aha,anI Shri (ur,ar Suthar (nati 0andalI Shri 5a,put .ho,ra, (nati 0andalI
Shri 1agheshari Soni Sama,I Shri 9oli &Divecha* (nati 0andalI and /amil Sangam.
/here is Indo /an-ania Cultural Centre and 9alamandalam at Dar es Salaam.
?
Kenya
5eligion based Indian organi-ations in 9enya include, !rya Sama,I !rya
$ratinidhi Sabha of Eastern !fricaI East !frica Shree Saminarayan 0andalI 9enya
.rahma SabhaI Shri (ayathri $arivarI and Sanatan Dharam Sabha. Indian Christians have
created St. Kavier Society and Sikhs have Sri (urudara .a-aar and Sikh :omen
Society. !ga 9han Ismaili Council of 9enya and Daoodi .ohra 0uslim Community
are organi-ations established by the .ohra 0uslims. !ssociations based on Indian castes
in the country include East !frica 5a,put #eagueI #ohana 0aha,an 0andalI $atel
.rotherhoodI Shri (ur,ar Sutar CommunityI and Shri 'avnat 1anik 0aha,an 0andal.
Indian professional and business associations in 9enya include Chandaria (roup of
CompaniesI 7arbans Singh !ssociatesI 0 D 9aycee !uto $arts #td.I Sameer Investments
#td. :elfare associations created by Indians include Indian Citi-ensL :elfare !ssociation
of 9enyaI 9enya $ragati 0andalI 9aruna Charitable /rustI and 9enya India >riendship
!ssociation &9I>!*. Societies promoting
B
Indian culture include, 9aminiLs School of DancingI 0a Sharda School of 0usicI and
South Indian Cultural Society. !ssociations based on Indian regions include 0aharashtra
0andalI Shri Cutchi 0adhapur $.(.0I Shri 9athiaar Hansari 0andalI /amil
!ssociation of 9enyaI and /he (oan (ymkhana.
;

Djibouti
/he Indian community has set up an Indian School up to (rade%I1 level.
Sudan
Indian community %%mainly (u,arati%% number beteen +,388%+,A88, of hich
about ;88 are settled in )mdurman, 3A8 in 9asala and about 688 in $ort Sudan. /here is
an Indian School in 9hartoum.
Egypt
Egypt does not have many persons of Indian origin. :hatever their number, they
have set up Indian Community !ssociation of Egypt &IC!E* in Cairo. It brings together
Indians living in Egypt, and helps them connect, share and enhance their life. Indian
community members from all over Egypt organise their activities through IC!E.
Israel
Hes of Indian origin in Israel, most of ho are Israeli nationals, come from
0aharashtra and some from 9erala and Calcutta. :hile the younger generation is
increasingly assimilated into Israeli society, they have set up Central )rgani-ation of
Indian Hes in IsraelI Cochini Hes in IsraelI Indian :omenMs !ssociationI Indian Heish
Community Centre in IsraelI Indian Heish !ssociationI and Indian Cultural !ssociation
of Eilat.
<
Saudi Arabia
.eing an Islamic country, most Indian !ssociations in Saudi !rabia are based
either on Indian regions or culture. Except 0uslim Indian !ssociations there are fe
registered associations based on 7indu or Sikh religion. !ssociations based on Indian
regions include !hrudaya 0alayala 1ediI !ndhra $radesh '5Is !ssociationI !adh
0anchI Indian /amil >ine !rts !ssociation 5iyadhI 0adhya $radesh Indian #iving in
?
!rabian 'ations &0I#!'* 5iyadhI and /amil Cultural Society. !ssociations created by
Indian 0uslims include 9erala 0uslim Cultural Centre Saudi !rabia and '5I 0illi
>orum Saudi !rabia. $rofessional organi-ations include !l%Hufailah Corporation for >ood
Stuff &!l 9abeer*I Indian !rchitectsM !ssociationI '5I, Indian Engineers >orum, Saudi
!rabiaI International 0anagement >orum 5iyadhI Indian Science N /echnology >orum
Saudi !rabiaI Indian Doctors >orum Saudi !rabiaI Institute of Chartered !ccountants of
India, 5iyadh. /here is !ligarh 0uslim "niversity )ld .oysL !ssociation and Cahind
Educational Society &CES* 5iyadh. /here are large number of cultural organi-ations such
as .haratiya 9ala 9endrumI !rts N Cultural Society, Saudi !rabiaI Deccan Cultural
!ssociationI 7industani .a-me%e%"rduI Indian !rts Society &I!S* 5iyadhI /he Cultural
7eritage of India, Saudi !rabiaI 9alakaar, Cultural !ssociation of 9arnataka State
5iyadhI 0usical :aves Saudi !rabiaI 'avodaya >ine !rts DammanI 'attyam, $rathibha,
5agasandya Cultural (roupI 5ainbo Cultural !ssociation Saudi !rabiaI Snehasandesh
Cultural Society Saudi !rabiaI Sargam >ine !rtsI Sher%e%$un,ab (roup of India etc.
+8

emen
!ssociations formed by Indian community in Cemen include .er Sheba $rayer
>elloship SanaLaI 7atimi 0akan &.ohra Community* 7addahI Indian !ssociation !denI
Indian 'ationalLs ClubI Indian !ssociation 7odeidahI 9erala ClubI 0alayali Sama,amI
/elugu .harathi ClubI and /amil Sangam. 0ost of these are based in the capital city of
SanaLa.
++

!man
Indian community has established associations like !rt of #ivingI (u,arati Sama,I
and 0uscat 9arnataka Sangha. !ll these associations are based in 0uscat.
"nited Arab Emirates #"AE$
;
7aving a large number of people of Indian origin, there are many associations
formed by them /hese associations include, !bu Dhabi 0alayalee Sama,amI .hartiya
.angiya $arishadI Dubai $riyadarshiniI (u,rati Sama,I India !ssociation !ri-onaI India
Social CentreI Indian #adiesL !ssociationI Indian !ssociation at Shar,ah and DubaiI
Indian 5elief Committee, Dubai and 5as !l 9haimahI Indian Social Club, >u,airahI
Indian 0uslim >orum "!EI Indian Islamic Centre, "!EI 9anrataka Sangh, DubaiI
9erala Social Centre, !bu DhabiI 0anglore 9onkans, DubaiI 0aharashtra 0andal,
DubaiI 5asmayi !ndhra Cultural >orum, DubaiI /amil #adies !ssociation, DubaiI /amil
'adu Cultural !ssociation, Dubai and "mm%al%Duain. !ssociations promoting Indian
culture include .havna !rt #oversL !ssociation and Dubai !rt #oversL !ssociationI
9airali 9ala 9endramI Emirates !rt CentreI (oan Cultural SocietyI Indian Cultural
!ssociationI and Indian !rt Society Dubai. $rofessional Indian associations in "!E
include Emirates Indian .usinessmenLs ClubI Institute of Chartered !ccountantsI Institute
of Engineers of IndiaI Indian $harmaceutical !ssociationI Indian .usinessF$rofessional
(roup, !bu DhabiI and )verseas Indian Economic >orum, Dubai.
+3

%atar
Datar has a large number of organi-ations formed by the Indian community there.
0any of these organi-ations based on various Indian regions include .angiya $arishad
DohaI Charishma !rts DohaI (oans Sports ClubI 0angalore Cricket ClubI 0aharashtra
0andalI Datar /elugu !ssociationI and 5as #affan 0alayalee Sama,am. Cultural and
religious organi-ations formed by
Indians include .haratham !rts N Cultural )rgani-ationI Indian )verseas Cultural
CongressI Indian Community 5ecreation CenterI Indian Cultural CentreI Indian Islamic
!ssociationI Indian :omensL !ssociationI Indo%Datar "rdu 0arka-I Indian "rdu $oetLs
!ssociationI 9arnataka SanghaI 9arnataka "rdu 0arka-, 9arnataka 0uslim Cultural
!ssociationI 9alaniketan ClubI 0anoran,an, 0usic #oversL (roupI 0alankara Cultural
!ssociationI 'orth Indians !ssociationI Datar (oans Sports ClubI Datar Indian Islami
CentreI Datar Syro%0alabar Cultural !ssociationI South 9anara 0uslim :elfare
!ssociationI and /elugu 9ala Samiti Datar. Indian professionals have formed /he
<
Institution of EngineersI /rivandrum !lumni !ssociation Datar ChapterI Indian
Community .enevolent >undI Indian DoctorLs ClubI Indian 0edical !ssociation%Doha
ChapterI /he Indian .usiness and $rofessional 'etork, DohaI and the Institute of
Chartered !ccountants of India, Doha.
+6
&ahrain
.ahrain has many Indian immigrants and they have formed many associations
based on Indian regions, professions, and culture. Such groups include /he .ahrain
9eraleeya Sama,amI 9arnataka Social ClubI 0aharashtra Cultural SocietyI /he .ahrain
0alayalee CSI $arishI 9erala 0uslim HamaLathI and Shri (u,arati Sama,. )rganisations
promoting and preserving Indian religions and culture include, /he Indian >ine !rts
SocietyI Indian #adies !ssociationI 9onkan Singers ClubI 9erala !rts N Cultural
!ssociationI .ahrain 9annada Sangha, /amil Social N Cultural !ssociation &/!SC!*I
/he Sree 'arayana Cultural SocietyI .ongiyo Sama, Social N Cultural !ssociationI
9erala Social N Cultural !sssociationI /elugu 9ala Samithi, Sikh /emple &Sri (uru
Singh Sabha*, 9erala Catholic !ssociation, /hattai 7indu Community, and .hatia 0itra
0andal, .ohra !ssociation. )ther Indian organi-ations in .ahrain include /he Institution
of Engineers &India* .ahrain ChapterI .ahrain Chapter of the
Institute of Chartered !ccountants of IndiaI and Coung (oanMs Sports Club.
+=
Ku'ait
9uait has a large number of Indians engaged in different professions. In fact
9uait has been a favoured destination for Indians to emigrate. /hey have formed
different organisations based on Indian regions, cultures, and professions etc. /hese
organi-ations include !numan%e%.urhaniI !rihant Social (roupI !irays 0alayalee
Cultural )rganisation &!0C)* DasmanI !rsha 1idya .harthi &!1.*I .ochasanasi
!kshar $urushottam Sanstha &.!$S*I .harathi 9alai 0andramI ChildrenMs !rt (roupI
+8
.harat Samskara 9ender &.haskar*I Cultural N 5ecreational Club of ChinchinimI
(ayathri !rtsI Indian !rts CircleI Hyothy !rts !nd Cultural !ssociationI 9uait Indian
Cultural CongressI 9uait 9alabhavanI 9uait 9erala 0uslim Cultural CentreI 0aurya
9ala $arisarI "nited Indian Cultural !ssociationI and Saa- aur !aa-. 5eligious
organi-ations formed by Indians include, >ederation of Indian 0uslimI Indian 0uslim
:elfare !ssociationI (urudara Committee 9uaitI and Devotional !ssociates of
Cogeshar. Indian professionals have formed various associations such as, !ssociation of
Indian $rofessionalsI College of Engineering /rivandrum !lumni !ssociation &CE/!!*I
(uild of Chartered !ccountants of IndiaI Institution of Engineers &India*I '5I Investors
>orumI and /amil 'adu Engineers >orum. !ssociations based on Indian regions include
.engali Cultural SocietyI (oa Cult Cultural N 5ecreational ClubI (oa :elfare Society,
Indian Sports N Cultural !ssociationI 9uait 9annada 9ootaI 9erala !rts N #iterature
$romoting !ssociation of 9uait &9!#$!9*I 9uait )rissa !ssociationI 9uait
0alayali Cultural CongressI 9uait /elugu SevaI 0aharshtra 0andalI )verseas
0alayalee :elfare !ssociationI $un,abi Cultural SocietyI $un,ab Sports and :elfare
!ssociationI Sindhi !ssociation of IndiansI South Indian Cultural SocietyI South Indian
!rts and 5ecreation !ssociationI /amil 'adu 0uslim Cultural !ssociation 9uait
&/0C!*I
"nited 0alayalee )rganisation &"0)*I and "ttar $radesh 9alatmak 5angmanch
&"$9!5*. )ther organi-ations include, Indian :omenMs !ssociationI Indian :omenMs
#eagueI Indian )verseas CongressI Indo !rab Socio%Cultural )rganisation &I!SC)*I
Indian Citi-enMs CommitteeI 'on%5esident Indians >orumI '5ILS :elfare !ssociation
9uait.
+A

Iraq
Ira2 has an organi-ation called Indian !ssociation in Ira2.
Myanmar
/here are about 3,A8,888 people of Indian origin &$I)* in 0yanmar. )f them
about 3,888 are Indian citi-ens settled there and =88,888 are stateless.
+B
Indians in
++
0yanmar are from different religions &7indus, 0uslims, Sikhs, and Christians* and
regions such as .engal, .ihar and "ttar $radesh, /amil 'adu, !ndhra $radesh, 9erala
and $un,ab. /hey speak their respective languages. )rganisations formed by Indians in
0yanmar include, !ll 0yanmar Shia 0uslim )rganisationI !rya Sama, /empleI !ll
.urma 7indu Central .oardI !ll 0yanmar 7indu 5eligious SocietyI !ll 0yanmar
/amilian !ssociationI !rya $ratinidhi SabhaI Cangon, .a-am%e%(ulshan%e%"rduI .urma
7indi Sahitya SammelanI (eeta $rachar SamitiI 0ahatma (andhi 0emorial /rustI
0ahatma (andhi $rathana .havanI 0yanmar 0uslim )rganisationI $urohit 0andalI
5amakrishna /emple /rustI Sanathan Dharam Sayam Sevak SanghI Sikh /empleI Sri
7anuman /empleI /he !ndhra 0aha,an SanghamI /he Islamic 5eligious !ffairs
CouncilI /he Hamait "lema%El%IslamI and Oafar Shah Dargah /rust.
+?

Thailand
/hailand has modest presence of Indians and they have formed different
organisations such as, /hai .harat cultural lodgeI /hai 9annada .alagaI /hailand 7indi
$arishadI Shri Digamber Hain Sama,, .angkokI /hai Sikh )rgani-ationI !rya Sama,I
(eeta
!shram /hailandI Indian :omenLs ClubI (u,arati%0arari Society, 0aharashtra 0andal
.angkokI India%/hai .usiness >orumI and 0ohona%! .angla !ssociation in /hailand
and II/ !lumni !ssociation, /hailand.
+;
Singapore
0any Indians have been heading to Singapore since long. /hey have formed their
organi-ations based on the regions they migrated from, and their language and culture.
/hese organi-ations include, .engali !ssociationI 9annada SanghaI 0arari 0itra
0andalI Sindhi 0erchant !ssociationI Singapore (u,arati SocietyI Singapore 9erala
!ssociationI Singapore /amilian !ssociationI 9annada SanghaI and Singapore /elugu
Sama,am. Indian religious organi-ations in Singapore include, $arsi !ssociation of
SingaporeI /he 5amakrishna !shramI Sikh !dvisory .oardI Singapore 9halsa
!ssociationI Singapore Hain 5eligious SocietyI /he 'orth Indian 7indu !ssociationI
>ederation of Indian 0uslimsI and 7indu Endoments .oard. )ther arganisations
+3
include, !urobindo SocietyI Indian :omenMs !ssociationI Singapore, 'rityalaya
!esthetics SocietyI Singapore India !ssociation, Singapore Indian >ine !rts Society
&SI>!S*I Singapore "rdu SocietyI /agore Society, /he 7indi Society, /he India Club,
/he 9amala Club. It has a D!1 7indi School and D$S International School has been set
up ith the efforts of Indian expatriates there.
+<
Malaysia
Indians in 0alaysia have formed associations based on the Indian regions they
had migrated from or the religions they belong to such as, !ll 0alaysia 0alayali
!ssociationI (u,arati Seva Sama,I (u,arati !ssociationI 0alaysian /elugu !ssociationI
0alaysian .engali !ssociationI 7indu SangamI Indian 0uslim !ssociationI 0alaysian
Sikh "nion. )ther Indian organi-ations include, 0alaysian !ssociated Indian Chamber
of Commerce and Industry &0!ICCI*I 0alaysian !ssociation of Indian "niversity
(raduatesI Society of 0edical (raduates from India, 0alaysia &S)0(5I0* etc.
38

Indonesia
Indonesia is IndiaMs next door neighbour in the Indian )cean. !bout <8 percent
population of its .ali Island adheres to 7induism hich came from India. .ut over all
Indonesia does not have a large population of Indian origin. !rt of #iving has its branches
at Hakarta and other places. /here is an Economic !ssociation of Indonesia N India
&EC!II*. Such organi-ations remind of Indian presence in Indonesia.
Australia
!ustralia has a large number of Indian populations. 0ost of them have emigrated
there in the recent past. /his process is continuing. /he migrant Indians have formed
many associations and organisations clearly shoing the patterns of migration such as the
region or state of India from hich they migrated. )r, the religion they belonged to back
+6
in India. /here presence is enlisted in different parts of !ustralia as shon through their
organi-ations.
3+

Canberra has many Indians and they have formed different associations such as,
.engali Cultural !ssociation &Canberra*, !ustralian /amil Cultural Society of !C/I
.iharFHharkhand SabhaI 7aryana Hat !ssociationI 5a,asthan Sabha of !ustraliaI and
South Indian >ine arts !ssociation. 5eligious organisations formed by Indians in
Canberra include, 7indu /emple and Cultural CentreI 0andir Society of !ustralia IncI
and Sri 9atphaga 1inayakar /emple. )ther organisations include, India !ustralia
!ssociation of CanberraI Indian Senior Citi-ens !ssociationI Sindhi association of
1ictoriaI and !nanda 0arga !ustralia.
Sydny &'e South :ales* has one of the highest concentrations of Indian
population. )rganisations formed by them include, Shree Sanatan Dharam $ratinidhi
Sabha of 'S:I !ll :orld (ayatri $ariar &!"S*I !nanda 0arga !ustralia, 7indu
Council of !ustralia, 7indu 7eritage Society, 7indu Hyotish Sabha of !ustraliaI 9irtan
$rachar 0ission of !ustraliaI Sikh 0ission CenterI Simran 7ouse St, 0intoI 1itraag Hain
0andal, 1edanta Centre of Sydney &5amkrishna 0ission*I Sri 1enkateshara /emple
!ssociationI Shiri Sanatan Dharam .rahmin Sabha of !ustraliaI Shree Sanatan Dharam
$ratindhi Sabha of 'S:I "niversity of Sydney 7indu SocietyI and "niversity of 'e
South :ales 7indu Society. )rganisations based on Indian regions include !ustralian
/amil 0uslim !ssociation SydneyI .engali !ssociation of 'e South :alesI .ihar
Hharkhand Sabha !ustraliaI (oan )verseas !ssociation 'S:I (u,arati Sama, of 'S:I
$un,abi Cultural N :elfare !ssociationI $un,abi Sahit !cademy SydneyI 5a,asthan
Sabha of !ustraliaI Sydney /amil 0anramI /elangana Development >orumI /elugu
!ssociation of SydneyI Sydney 0alayalee !ssociationI and 0arathi !ssociation Sydney.
Cast based organi-ations include, .asava Samathi of !ustralasia and 0ohyal Sabha
!ssociation. Indian omen organisations include Indian :omen Cultural !ssociation of
!ustraliaI Indian :orking :omen !ssociationI and :omenLs Information 'etork N
Emergency 5elief. )ther organisations formed by Indians include, !nglo Indian
!ssociation of 'S:I !rt of #iving >oundationI !ssociation for IndiaLs Development
!ustraliaI !ustralian 7indi Indian !ssociation &!7I!*I !ustralian Institute of 7indi
language studiesI 7indi Samaa, SydneyI Indo%!ustralian .al .harathi 1idyalaya%7indi
+=
SchoolI /he !ustralian Institute of 7indi language StudiesI !ustralian Sanatan Sports
!ssociationI Satsang !ustraliaI >ederation of !ustralian Indian !ssociationI Indain
)verseas Congress, !ustraliaI India ClubI Indian !rts N Cultural !ssociation of
!ustralia, Indian >amily >riends !ccociation, Indian )verseas Students >elloship of
!ustraliaI Spirit of India &'S:*I Sadeshi 1ichar 0anchI Sara%#aya >ine !rts
SocietyI Sydney kannada SanghaI Sydney Sindhi !ssociationI "nited $un,abi 7eritage
and Cultural !ssociationI and 1ihangam Coga Sant Sama, Sydney,
In .risbane &Dueensland*, associations formed by Indians include, 7indu 0andir
!ssociationI Shree Sanatan Dharam 7indu !ssociationI 0angalorean Catholics
!ssociationI Dueensland 7indu Cultural and 5eligious /rustI Shiv Dhaam%Sanatan
0andir .risbane. !ssociations based on Indian regions are, .ihar Hharkhand Sabha
!ustraliaI .risbane 0aharashtra 0andalI .risbane 0alayalee !ssociationI .risbane
/elugu !ssociationI (old Coast IndiansI (oldcoast 0alayalee !ssociationI (u,arati
!ssociation of DueenslandI 9annada Sangha DueenslandI and 9erala !ssociation. )ther
.risbane based Indian associations include, !ustralian !nglo%Indian !ssociation of
.risbaneI Indian Students Society &ISS* "niversity of DueenslandI Dueensland Indian
!ssociationI Cultural Society of IndiaJ.risbaneI >ederation of Indian Communities of
DueenslandI Indian !ssociation of Central DueenslandI $atel !ssociation of DueenslandI
DueenslandFIndia .usiness Development !ssociation DI.D!I Dueensland Indian
Cultural Couth !ssociationI and Saran 0ohini Inc.
+A
0elbourne &1ictoria* has many Indian settlers and they have formed associations
such as, !ustralia India Society of 1ictoriaI !ustralia%India 0usic ClubI .haratha
9alan,ali Dance SchoolI .iharFHharkhand Sabha, Chinmaya 0ission !ustraliaI
>ederation of Indian !ssociations of 1ictoriaI >ederation of Indian Students of !ustraliaI
>orum of Indian Communities of 1ictoriaI 7indi 'iketan of 0elbourneI Indian )verseas
Students >elloship of !ustraliaI Indian Subcontinent Students !ssociation &ISS!*I Hat
Hagat 0elbourneI 9alamandirE School of Indian DancesI 0ai 'achungi Dance CompanyI
'atyalayaa Indian Dance SchoolI and Sangam 9ala (roup !ustralia &S9(!*.
!ssociations based on Indian religions and regions in 0elbourne include, .engali
!ssociation of 1ictoriaI (oan )verseas !ssociation of 1ictoriaI Indian /amil !ssociation
of 1ictoriaI 0elbourne 9annada SanghaI 0aharashtra 0andal of 1ictoriaI 0alayalee
!ssociation of 1ictoriaI 0elbourne Sikh Couth :ingI 5a,asthan Sabha of
!ustraliaI /elugu !ssociationI 1ictorian Sikh !ssociation &1S!*I Shree Sanatan Dharam
Society of 1ictoriaI Shree Saminarayan /emple 0elbourneI Sindhi !ssociation of
1ictoriaI and /elugu !ssociation.
!ssociations formed by Indians in $erth &:estern !ustralia* include, !nglo
Indian Institute of :.!I 7erb (raham 5ecreational Centre 0irrabookaI .engali
!ssociation of :!I .ihar Hharkhand Sabha $erthI DESI Indian StudentsL Society
"niversity of :estern !ustraliaI (oan )verseas !ssociationI (u,rati Sama, of :estern
!ustraliaI 7indi Sama, of :estern !ustraliaI Indian )verseas Students >elloship of
!ustraliaI Indian Society of :estern !ustraliaI $erth 0alayali Cultural Club &9airali*I
0aharashtra 0andal of $erthI 0alayalee !ssociation of :estern !ustraliaI Sikh
!ssociation of :estern !ustraliaI /amil !ssociation of :estern !ustraliaI /elugu
!ssociation in :estern !ustraliaI and /he !ustralian !nglo Indian !ssociation &Inc*.
!delaide &South !ustralia* also has many organi-ations formed by Indians, such
as, !delaide 9annada SanghaI !delaide 0arathi 0andalI !delaide 0etropolitan
0alayalee !ssociation &!00!*I !delaide /amil !ssociationI .engali Cultural
+B
!ssociation of South !ustralia &.C!S!*I .ihar Hharkhand Sabha !delaideI Indian
!ustralian !ssociation of S!I Indian )verseas Students >elloship of !ustraliaI 0ohyal
Sabha !delaideI 'orth Indians !ssociation of South !ustraliaI Sargam, Indian 0usical
!ssociationI Shruthi !delaideI and /elgu !ssociation of South !ustralia.
Madagascar
0adagascar has a small number of Indian associations such as, !ssociation of
9ho,a ShiaI >ai-%E%0ohammedi 0adagascarI 7indou Sama, DLantananarivoI and
IMassociation 7indou Society, /amatave.
Mauritius
0auritius has a centre of !rt of #iving at Curepipe
Seychelles
Indian associations in Seychelles include, 7indu 9ovil SangamI Indo%Seychelles
>riendship !ssociationI and 7indu Council of Seychelles.
$resence of large number of associations formed by Indians in the countries of
Indian )cean region reveals the pattern of migration from India to these countries areas
of their concentration and the religionFregion of India they belong to. It also strongly
demonstrates the spread of persons of Indian origin and its culture to different corners of
the Indian )cean region.
Indias cultural policy
In its earliest history, various Indian kingdoms and empires had maintained close
links ith foreign lands. )ver the centuries, these contacts ere further consolidated.
+?
Indian culture penetrated other ethno%cultural -ones and a process of mutual cultural
enrichment ensued. IndiaLs culture is marked by a high degree of syncretism and cultural
pluralism.
33
/he earliest and closest of these cultural ties ere those linking India and
Iran, for these can be traced as far back as 'eolithic times. /he ancient Indians and
Iranians ere closely related people both ethnically and linguistically. /he period of
particularly close Indo%Iranian ties began during the !chaemenid Empire hen Iranian
culture influenced the development of Indian culture and .uddhism spread to Iran from
India. 0any Indian scientific achievements and orks of art became knon in Iran.
Similarly, links beteen India and Sri #anka ere established immediately after the first
Indo%!ryan settlers came to the island. :hen .uddhism first began to spread to the
island, culture exerted a strong influence over Singhalese literature, architecture and
religion. !t a very early stage India began trading ith many countries of Southeast
!sia and later Indian settlements ere set up there. /he settlers brought ith them
Sanskrit language and also many achievements of Indian culture and religions. In the
early centuries !.D., Indian communities also appeared in Indonesia. #ater, Indians
increasingly engaged themselves in overseas trade ith !rabia and !frica and
consolidated links ith countries as far as Egypt.
36
#arge number of Indian Diaspora
began to take roots since then and has only gron in nature and strength over the years.
Indias diplomatic relations in the Region
/o keep liaison ith Indians settled in the countries of Indian )cean, and maintain
historical relations, India set up its embassies, high commissions, and consulates in these
countries after independence. In some of these countries India sent its ambassadors even
before their independence. India has diplomatic representation in 3B littoral states and ?
island states of the Indian )cean. It set up embassy in South !frica after the end of
apartheid regime there in +<<6I established diplomatic relations ith 0o-ambi2ue in
+<?A %%the year it gained independenceI ith /an-ania in +<B+ %%hen /anganyika
became independentI ith 9enya it set up diplomatic relations in +<=? and later upgraded
+;
them in +<B6I in Sudan, it set up liaison office in 0arch +<AA %%ell before countryMs
independenceI in Egypt, India set up its embassy in +<=?I established diplomatic relations
ith Israel in the recent yearsI ith Hordan, it set up full diplomatic ties in +<A8I ith
Saudi !rabia in +<=?I ith Cemen in +<?8I ith )man in +<AAI ith "nited !rab
Emirates and .ahrain in +<?6I ith 9uait in +<B3 %%one year before it got
independenceI ith Ira2 in +<B8. India also has full diplomatic relations ith D,ibouti,
Eritrea, Iran, $akistan, .angladesh, 0yanmar, Singapore, /hailand, 0alaysia, Indonesia,
and !ustralia. :ith island states in the Indian )cean, India has established diplomatic
links ith 0adagascar, Sri #anka, 0aldives, 0auritius, Comoros, 5eunion Island, and
Seychelles.
3=
Cultural agreements ith the countries of Indian Ocean
India signed agreement on Cultural Cooperation ith /an-ania on +?
th
Hanuary,
+<?A, ith 9enya on 3=
th
>ebruary, +<;+, ith D,ibouti on 6+st Hanuary +<;<. India and
D,ibouti signed Executive $rogramme of Cultural, Education and Scientific Cooperation
for the year 3886%388A at 'e Delhi on +<th 0ay 3886. India signed agreement for
Cultural Cooperation ith Sudan in 'ovember +<?=. )n September 3A, +<AA, India and
Egypt signed Cultural Cooperation !greement. Cultural !greement ith Israel as
signed on 0ay +;, +<<6 at 'e Delhi. India and Saudi !rabia signed Cultural
Cooperation !greement in >ebruary, 38+8. )n Huly 38, +<<<, India and 5epublic of
Cemen signed Cultural !greement to develop closer cultural relations beteen the to
countries. India and )man signed Cultural !greement in 0uscat on !ugust 6, +<<+ and
signed Cultural !greement &providing for Cultural Exchange $rogrammes* ith "!E on
Hanuary 6, +<?A. India has cultural agreement ith Datar. )n ;
th
Hanuary +<?A, India
signed a cultural agreement ith .ahrain. Cultural !greement beteen the India and
9uait as signed on 'ovember 3, +<?8. $resident of India and 9ing of Ira2 signed
!greement Concerning Cultural 5elations beteen India and Ira2, ay back in +<A=.
3A
+<
:ith 0yanmar India signed a bilateral Cultural Cooperation !greement in 388+. /o
strengthen age%old cultural ties, India signed a Cultural !greement ith /hailand in !pril
+<?? and ith 0alaysia in +<?;. Signifying their ancient cultural relations, India and
Indonesia signed a land mark Cultural !greement in +<AA. /his agreement has acted as
the central guideline for bilateral cultural interaction beteen the to countries. /he
cultural agreement has been updated regularly through the Cultural Exchange $rogramme
&CE$*, hich has facilitated inter%institutional linkages and collaborative research
programmes beteen the to countries.
3A
Indian Diaspora and culture is significantly present in the island republics of the
Indian )cean. India has signed agreements for
cultural cooperation ith them from time to time. !greement on Cultural Cooperation
as signed ith 0auritius in +<?; under hich the first IndiaF0auritius Hoint
Commission as created. :ith 0aldives India signed Cultural !greement in +<;6. /hese
agreements have provided the basis to officially pursue cultural diplomacy through
exchange programmes, performances and several other cultural activities. Indian
embassies in Southeast !sia regularly organi-e cultural programmes by Indian artists.
/he government also facilitates the visit of cultural troupes to various countries. .esides,
film festivals are organi-ed at regular intervals considering the groing interest in Indian
cinema.
Indian Cultural Centers
India has established Indian Cultural Centers &ICC* hich has become an
important platform to promote IndiaLs cultural diplomacy in the Indian )cean region.
Indian Council of Cultural 5elations &ICC5* has established 38 cultural centers &and to
sub%centers* orldide.
3B
9eeping in vie the vast spread of Indian Diaspora and
culture, these Culture Centers take up different activities to integrate India ith the lands
and the people of the Indian )cean region. India has set up Indian Cultural Centre in
38
Durban, &South !frica* hich functions under the aegis of the Consulate (eneral of
India, Durban. .esides organi-ing various cultural programmes in different cities of
9aOulu%'atal, Eastern Cape N >ree State by visiting artists from India, the Cultural
Centre also organi-es talks, discourses N lectures, dance and music orkshops by
eminent personalities. /he Cultural Centre also conducts regular classes to teach Indian
dance and music by 2ualified tutors. Centre has a library of more than 6?88 titles on a
variety of sub,ects. Indian Cultural Centre has also been set up at Hohannesburg in +<<B at
the Consulate premises ith an aim to promote Indian culture and to foster closer links
beteen India and South !frica.
3?
0aulana !-ad Centre for Indian Culture is orking in
Embassy of India, in Cairo. Haaharlal 'ehru Indian Cultural Centre is functioning in
Embassy of India, at Hakarta
&Indonesia*. (iven to ma,ority 7indu population a Sub%Indian Cultural Centre has been
setup on .ali Island of Indonesia. Indian Cultural Centre is also orking in the 7igh
Commission of India at Colombo. Similarly, Indira (andhi Centre for Indian Culture is
playing a significant role at $ort #ouis, 0auritius. /he main activities of these cultural
centers are to provide the local population an opportunity to learn about the Indian
culture. /hese centers organi-e performances of dance, drama, and music, essay
competitions, lectures, photo exhibitions, and so on. /hey also conduct classes for yoga,
Indian music and 7indi language.
3;

!cholarships to the nationals of countries of Indian Ocean
Educational assistance forms another important element in IndiaLs cultural
diplomacy. India offers opportunities to the nationals from the various countries to visit
India to ac2uire education and learn about Indian languages and culture. 0any schemes
to provide scholarships have been mooted for this purpose. India aards 63= scholarships
under &(CSS* scheme annually to international students belonging to certain !sian,
!frican and #atin !merican countries for the undergraduate, postgraduate degrees and
for pursuing research at Indian universities. 0ore than half of these scholarships are
aarded to the nationals from the countries of Indian )cean.
3+
/able% 3
Distribution of !cholarships under "C!!
In the Countries of Indian Ocean Region
D,ibouti 8+ Datar 8+
Indonesia 38 Saudi !rabia 86
Iran +6 Somalia +<
Ira2 38 South !frica +<
Hordan 8A Sri #anka +8
9enya +3 Seychelles +8
0aldives 8; Sudan +8
0alaysia 8+ /an-ania +8
0auritius 8B /hailand +8
0yanmar +8 "!E 8+
0o-ambi2ue +A Cemen 8?
)man 8+
SourceE Singhvi Committee 5eport, pp. xviiJxx.
"nder other schemes India aards scholarships to the nationals belonging to these
countries. ! +88 Special Scholarship are offered to nationals of .angladesh to pursue
courses in the field of arts and science, speciali-ed courses in engineering, pharmacy,
agriculture, sports and performing and visual arts in the Indian educational institutions.
"nder Special Scholarship Scheme for Sri #anka, =? scholarships are offered to Sri
#ankan students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate courses. "nder this Scheme
68 scholarships are offered to 0auritian students to pursue undergraduate and
postgraduate courses in India. "nder its Scholarships Scheme ICC5 aards =A
scholarships to foreign students interested to learn Indian music, dance, paintings,
sculptures, etc. in various universitiesFinstitutions and (urukuls. "nder the Cultural
Exchange $rogramme, 668 scholarships are aarded by the (overnment of India to
facilitate studying, training and research in various fields. Countries of the Indian )cean
33
region like !ustralia, .ahrain, Ira2, Israel, Hordan, 9enya, 9uait, 0aldives, 0auritius,
Sudan, Somalia, Sri #anka, /hailand, Egypt, and Cemen have availed this facility.
3<
"nder the Commonealth $rogramme, India offers A= scholarships in human resource
development to the nationals of the Commonealth countries. !mong the Indian )cean
countries, .angladesh is aarded 3 scholarshipsI 9enya gets =, 0aldives =, 0auritius =,
0auritius ;, South !frica +, Sri #anka A, and /an-ania 6.
68
!part from these schemes India offers !frica Day scholarship in the memory of
the #ate Dr. !milcar Cabral. /he scholarship is offered to a national of one !frican
country on rotation basis for pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral and post
doctoral studies. It instituted Dadoo 'aicker Scholarship in the memory of Cusuf Dadoo
and 0onty 'aicker of the South !frican Indian Congress. It is aarded to a South
!frican student of Indian origin to pursue postgraduate studies.
6+
"nder the /echnical
Cooperation Scheme &/CS* of the Colombo $lan, India further aards scholarships to the
nationals from .angladesh, Iran, Indonesia, 0alaysia, 0yanmar, 0aldives, Sri #anka,
and /hailand. /hese scholarships are offered for undergraduate, postgraduate and
research toards a $h.D. degree. India offers +8 Craft Instructor Scholarships annually to
the nationals of Commonealth countries hich include the countries of the region.
/raining as craft instructors, carpentry and elding is provided to the nationals of these
countries. .angladesh, Sri #anka, $akistan and 0aldives get benefit from +3 scholarships
annually under S!!5C ScholarshipF>elloship Scheme.
63
India also offers some country
specific scholarships such as !id to 0aldives, under hich 38 scholarship slots are
aarded to the nationals of 0aldives. "nder Special Scholarship Scheme for 0auritian
nationals, 0inistry of External !ffairs aards 6 scholarships. >ive each !C"S7
&!yurveda, Coga N 'aturopathy, "nani, Siddha and 7omoeopathy* Scholarships are
aarded to the nationals of /hailand, .angladesh, Sri #anka, and 0yanmar.
Integrating Indian Community ith India
36
5esiding in distant lands, Indians have succeeded spectacularly in their chosen
professions through their dedication and hard ork. /hey have retained their emotional,
cultural and spiritual links ith India %%the country of their origin. /his strikes a
reciprocal chord in the hearts of people of India. It is a symbiotic relationship. )n the
recommendation of a committee &appointed under # 0 Singhvi* hich gave its report to
the $rime 0inister on ;th Hanuary, 3883, suggested formation of an organi-ation on the
lines of $lanning Commission to look after the affairs of )verseas Indians.
66
! full%
fledged 0inistry of )verseas Indian !ffairs as set up to deal ith affairs related to
)verseas Indians.
IndiaMs cultural diplomacy is not seen as an effort toards cultural dominance in the
region, rather it has been appreciated abroad. /he region vies IndiaLs cultural diplomacy
as an effort to harmoni-e cultural linkages and strengthen ties through modern cultural
means.
(ra)asi &hartiya Di)as
!n important aspect of IndiaLs cultural diplomacy is to cultivate Indian DiasporaI
Indian government has taken a number of policy initiatives in order to engage the
Diaspora. Celebrating $ravasi .haratiya Dias is one such effort hich began in 3886
and is held every year in the month of Hanuary.
6=
/o recognise the services of Indians
settled abroad, L$ravasi .haratiya Samman as instituted in 3886. /his honour is
conferred on distinguished Indians or the persons of Indian origin settled abroad. !
substantial share of these aards has gone to the Indians settled in different parts of
Indian )cean. In 3886, Sir !nerood Hugnauth $rime 0inister of 0auritius, $rof. >atima
0eer from South !frica, 9anaksi (okaldas 9him,i from )man, 0anilal $remchand
Chandaria from 9enya, veteran political figure of 0alaysia DatoM Seri S. Samy 1ellu
ere conferred ith this aard. In 388=, Dipak Hain of /hailand, Dr. 0arian Chisti of
9uait, as given this honour. In 388A, !mina Cachalia of South !frica, H.9. Chande of
/an-ania, !hmed 9athrada of South !frica, and 0.! Cusuffali of "nited !rab Emirates
3=
ere given this aard. In 388B, Shivnath 5ai .a,a, from /hailand, Eliahu .e-ale from
Israel, !bdool 5aouf .undhun from 0auritius, 0a,id "ddin 9a-i from Saudi !rabia,
C.9. 0enon from Datar, 1. 5amadoss from Seychelles, Sisupal 5ambharos from South
!frica, and Hean%$aul 1irapoullP from 5Punion ere aarded ith this Samman. In
388?, .illy 'air from South !frica, $hero-e 'oro,ee from 9enya, /an Sri Dato 9.5.
Somasundram of 0alaysia, Syed 0. Salahuddin and Dr. .avaguthu 5aghuram Shetty
from "nited !rab Emirates ere honoured ith this aard. In 388;, Dr. 5avi $illai from
.ahrain, Dr. 'avinchandra of 0auritius, 'eville
Hoseph 5oach of !ustralia, Dr. 5afiudin >a-ulbhoy of Saudi !rabia, and 9rishnamurthy
9umar of "nited !rab Emirates ere given $arvasi .hartiya Samman. In 38+8, Suresh
9umar 1irmani from )manI $ravin Hamnadas (ordhan, finance minister of South !frica
and /holisah $erumal 'aidoo a publisher from DurbanI 5a,ni 9anabar from /an-aniaI
Deepak 0ittal from /hailandI and Dr. !-ad 0oopen from "nited !rab Emirates have
been given these aards in the month of Hanuary.
6A

*emittances
5emittances from the Indian Diaspora have become a ma,or source of external
development finance. :orldide remittances received by developing countries from its
nationals abroad exceeded Q3A8 billion in 388B. /he actual si-e of remittances, including
both officially recorded and unrecorded transfers through informal channels is even
larger. /here are to kinds of remittances %%family and community. >amily remittances
are money sent by individual immigrants to family and friends back home. /hese
remittances are often used to meet their basic needs. Community remittances are money
sent by immigrants and by hometon associations to communities in their home country.
/his money is traditionally used for infrastructure like roads, schools, parks and
churches.
5emittances have tremendous potential to encourage development in India and
their importance increases hen home countryLs economy slos, making it a particularly
3A
effective anti%poverty tool. 5emittances to India represent about 6.8; percent of its (D$.
In 388A%388B, remittances ere higher than the "SQ36.B billion in revenues from IndiaLs
softare exports, hich is particularly impressive since softare exports increased 66
percent that year.
6B
In 388=%388A, the state and federal governments in India collectively
spent less money on education than India received in remittances. !nd, in the same year,
combined state and federal government expenditures on health care came to less than half
of the flo of remittances. /he impact of remittances is more pronounced in parts of the
country that have experienced higher volumes of emigration. In the southern state of
9erala, for example, remittances constitute 33 percent of the state domestic product.
Excluding remittances, per capita income in 9erala is 6= percent higher than the national
average hile it is B8 percent higher than the national figure including remittances.
6?
Since +<<+, India has experienced sharp remittance groth. In +<<8%<+
remittances to India by its population abroad totaled "SQ3.+ billion, hich increased to
;.A billion in +<<A%<B, +3.? billion in +<<<%3888, +A.= billion in 388+%83, 3+.B+ billion in
3886%8=, and about 3=.AA billion in 388A%8B. In 388? remittances to India ere estimated
at 3? billion folloed by =A billion in 388; and AA.B billion in 388<. In +<<8%<+,
remittances to India constituted 8.? @ of the (D$ and their share no is above 6.A
percent. In 388B, of its total remittances received from abroad, 3=@ came from gulf
countries, 3@ from !frican countries, and about ;@ from Southeast !sia.
6;
India has
clearly achieved a large sustained level of remittances. $olicy initiatives by the
government and banking institutions have achieved to significant results. >irst, most
remittances flo thorough formal channels. Second, an increasing number of remitters
have moved from being pure 4savers4 to 4investors.4 /he Indian Diaspora has proven
responsive to incentives. It has increasingly invested in India during the last to decades.
*eligious and cultural tourism
India is considered as the land of ancient history, religion and culture. .eing the
centre of 7induism, .uddhism and Sikhism, India attracts millions '5IF$I) belonging to
3B
these faiths from various countries of the region. 5eligious tourism has emerged as a
booming market in India. Indians settled abroad make religious pilgrimage to /irupati,
.ala,i, 1aishno Devi, (olden /emple and Dargahs of many Sufi Saints like 0oinudin
Chishti. /hese
pilgrimages help to rene interpersonal relationships beteen Indian Diaspora and their
kith and kins back home. /his helps to build close ties ith the Diaspora. Similarly,
cultural tourism in India has seen meteoric rise in the recent years. /ourists come from far
and ide to see Indian culture and heritage at Haipur, "daipur, Hodhpur, Haisalmer,
.ikaner, 0andaa, in 5a,asthan and 'e Delhi. /he most popular states in India for
cultural tourism are 5a,asthan, /amil 'adu, "ttar $radesh, and "ttaranchal. Indian
culture in the form of dance, music, festivities, architecture, traditional customs, food,
and languages attract thousands of people of Indian origin to India. In 5a,asthan these
tourists throng to see its rich cultural heritage, its magnificent palaces and forts, and a
large number of festivals and fairs such as the camel festival, and festivals at 0arar and
$ushkar. In "ttar $radesh they come to see the famous monuments like /a, 0ahal in
!gra and >atehpur Sikri, 1aranasi, !llahabad, 1rindavan, and !yodhya. In "ttaranchal
many ancient temples are found in the 9umaon and (arhal regions of the state.
6<

Indian #ilms and promotion of Indian culture
$roducing tice as many films as 7ollyood and attracting double the audience, the
Indian film industry is, by certain measures, top of the cinematic tree. Indian films are
popular abroad especially in the countries having Indian immigrants. /hese films reach
out to the (lobal audiences to represent India on an international platform. Cinema is the
second most foreign exchanger grosser for India.
=8
/he popularity and demand of
.ollyood across the Indian )cean is a regular source of bondage for India Diaspora.
Indian films are greatly admired in countries of !sia, !frica and :est !sia. South !frica,
9enya, Indian >ilm aards are held in Dubai and Singapore hich have a large Indian
3?
population. Indians living abroad grasp every opportunity to stay connected ith their
roots and Indian cinema and film festivals shocasing Indian cinema play an important
role for '5Is and their children to stay in touch ith India. Since +<A3, India has hosted
=8
international film festivals. /hese festivals became annual events from +<?A onards.
/hese festivals provide opportunity to outside orld to see closely atch Indian culture,
languages and music etc. )n the other hand the countries such as Indonesia, /hailand get
opportunity to sho their talent to Indian audiences. /amil films are 2uite popular among
/amil immigrants in South !frica and Singapore. Indian film industry is biggest exporter
and promoter of Indian culture among the countries of the Indian )cean region. !part
from being popular in the countries such as Sri #anka, Singapore, 0alaysia, 0auritius,
"!E and South !frica, special channels and entertainment maga-ines in Israel and Iran
latest nes from Indian Cinema.
=+

'ot only cinema, Indian /1 channels too create an important bridge beteen India
and its people abroad. >or example Oee /1 can be vieed across 38 countries among
hich are included Dubai, 0aldives, Sri #anka, Israel, Singapore, /hailand, Indonesia,
and !ustralia. Similarly Indian entertainment S/!5 $lus can be vieed in the countries
of 0iddle East, Singapore, and !ustralia.
+onclusion
!lmost every country on the Indian )cean littoral has a si-eable population of Indian
origin. In an endeavour to strengthen its relationship ith them India has actively used
culture as an important instrument. /he list of instruments used in cultural diplomacy is
inexhaustible. It includes signing of formal cultural agreements, organi-ing of $ravasi
.haratiya Dias, conferring L$ravasi .haratiya Samman on the people of Indian )rigin
settled abroad, establishment of Indian Cultural Centres &ICC*, providing educational
assistance to the nationals of these countries, establish diplomatic relations, offering
scholarships in IndiaMs educational institutions, establishment of ICC5 to coordinate
3;
efforts to spread Indian culture, etc. Cultural diplomacy is carried out by the government
to support its foreign policy goals by using a
ide range of cultural manifestations for a variety of purposes. /his approach helps to
advance countryMs domestic ob,ectives. It is a valuable tool hich is likely to become
more important instrument of public diplomacy and contributor to IndiaMs soft poer in
the near future.
References:
+. Carnes, #ordE #osing hearts and mindsRE $ublic Diplomacy and Strategic
Influence in the age of /error, $raeger, 'e Cork, 388BI 5ana 9, 4.ilateral
Diplomacy4, Diplo$ro,ects, 0editerranean !cademy of Diplomatic Studies,
0alta, 3883, Chapter +3I Charles, >rederickE /he Soviet Cultural )ffensiveE
/he role of cultural diplomacy in Soviet foreign policy, (reenood $ress
5eprint, :estport, +<?B.
3. 0ohammada, 0alikaE /he >oundations of the Composite Culture in India,
!akar .ooks, Delhi, 388?I 9alman, .obbieE IndiaE /he Culture, Crabtree
$ublishing Company, 'e Cork, 388<E "il, 0an,ariE >oreign Influence on
Indian Culture &c.B88 .C to !D 638*, #o $rice $ublications, 'e Delhi,
388BI .asham !.#E /he :onder that as India, Sidgick and Hackson,
#ondon, +<A=.
6. #al, .ri, 1. &ed.*E /he Encyclopedia of the Indian Diaspora, SingaporeE
Editions Didier 0illet, 388B, p.+==I Hayaram, ' and !tal CogeshE /he Indian
DiasporaE dynamics of migration, Sage $ublications, California, 388=.
=. (upta, !nirudhaE Indians !broadE !sia and !frica, )rient #ongman, 'e
Dehli, +<?+I !rasarathnam, SE Islamic 0erchant Communities of the Indian
Subcontinent in Southeast !sia, "niversity of 0alaya, 9uala #umpur, +<;<I
5amstedt, 0artin &ed*E 7induism in 0odern IndonesiaE .eteen #ocal,
'ational, and (lobal Interests, Cur-on $ress, #ondon, 3883.
A. S7istory of Indian DiasporaT, and S'on%resident Indian and $erson of Indian
)riginT, at, httpEFF.nriol.comFindiandiasporaFhistory%indian%diaspora.aspI
also see, 5aymer, SteveE Images of a HourneyE Images of Indian Diaspora,
3<
Indiana "niversity $ress, 388?I 9albag, !shin, SIndian Diaspora Deserve
5ecognition for their ContributionsT, The Economic Times, 0arch 3<, 38+8.
B. SIndian !ssociations, )rganisation N Communities in South !fricaT, '5I
5eality 'es, available at, httpEFF.nrirealtynes.comFsouth%africa.phpI
SookDeo, !. 4/he /ransformation of Ethnic IdentitiesI the case of UColouredM
and Indian South !fricansT, ,ournal of Ethnic Studies $ inter +<;?%+<;;.
:estern :ashington "niversity, .ellingham.
?. See, SIndian !ssociations, )rganisation N Communities in /an-aniaT, at,
httpEFF.nrirealtynes.comFtan-ania.phpI 5udy .rueggemann, Indians
of East !frica, at, httpEFF.rudyfoto.comFIndiansof!frica.htmlI
;. See, SIndian !ssociations, )rganisation N Communities in 9enyaT, at,
httpEFF.nrirealtynes.comFkenya.phpI S! 'e 1ie of 9enyaLs L!siansT,
-ashington (ost, 0arch +A, 3888I /haroor, Shashi, S:eLre all 9enyans
hereT, The .indu, 'ovember 8?, 388=.
<. See, .indiandiaspora.nic.inFdiasporapdfFchapter<.pdf.
+8. See, SIndian !ssociations, )rganisation N Communities in Saudi !rabiaT, at,
httpEFF.nrirealtynes.comFsaudi%arabia.phpI /here are more than +.A
million Indians living in Saudi !rabia. !lso see, Hha, Saurav, SIndia and
Saudi !rabia deepen /iesT, -orld (olitical *e)ie', 0arch 3<, 38+8I $ant,
7arsh 1, SSaudi !rabia :oos China and IndiaT, The Middle East %uarterly,
1ol. KIII, 'umber =, >all 388B, pp. =A%A3.
++. See, SIndian !ssociations, )rganisation N Communities in CemenT, at,
httpEFF.nrirealtynes.comFyemen.phpI 'adia !l%Sakkaf, SIndian
!mbassador $raveen 1erma to Cemen /imesE L/he Indian Community >eels
1ery Comfortable and :elcomed in /his CountryT, emen Times, !ugust +?,
388<.
+3. See, SIndian !ssociations, )rganisation N Communities in ".!.ET, at,
httpEFF.nrirealtynes.comFuae.phpI SIndians largest orking force in
"!ET, The Times of India, >ebruary 3B, 388;I Oachariah, 9 and 5akash, .
et al. SIndian :orkers in the "!EE Employment, :ages, and :orking
ConditionsT, Economic and (olitical -ee/ly, 0ay 3<, 388=.
+6. See, SIndian !ssociations, )rganisation N Communities in DatarT,
httpEFF.nrirealtynes.comF2atar.phpI SIndians no number around
=38,888 in DatarT, Thaindian 0e's, !ugust ?, 388;.
68
+=. SIndian Cultural and 5eligious .odies in .ahrainT, at,
httpEFF.ixpats.comFbhFmodules.phpRnameV'esNfileVarticleNsidV6<I
see, SExpatriate Indian population in .ahrain no 3<8,888T, Thaindian
0e's, Huly A, 388;.
+A. See, SIndian !ssociations 5egistered :ith Embassy of India, 9uait, as on
Hune 33, 38+8T, at, httpEFF.indembkt.orgFIndianG!ssociations.pdf
+B. Suryanarayan, 1E S/he Indian Community in 0yanmarT, $aper no. 6A36,
South !sia !nalysis (roup, 3B 'ovember, 388<.
+?. See, SIndian !ssociations, )rganisation N Communities in 0yanmarT,
httpEFF.nrirealtynes.comFmyanmar.php
+;. SIndian !ssociations and )rgani-ations in .angkokT,
httpEFF.videsh.comFindiaGtravelFindian%associations%and%
organi-ationsFthailandFbangkok.htmlI SIndia and Indians in /hailandT, at,
httpEFFebcache.googleusercontent.comFsearch
+<. See, S#ist of Indian )rganisations in SingaporeT,
httpEFFen.ikipedia.orgFikiF#istGofGIndianGorganisationsGinGSingaporeI
#eitch #epoer, .arbara &ed.*E SingaporeE ! Country Study, ($) for the
#ibrary of Congress, :ashington, +<;<I Siddi2ue, SharonI 'irmala $uru
ShotamE
SingaporeLs #ittle IndiaE $ast, $resent, and >uture &3nd ed.*, Institute of
Southeast !sian Studies, Singapore, +<<8I Sinnappah, !rasaratnamE Indians
in 0alaysia and Singapore, )"$, +<?<.
38. See, SIndian !ssociations, )rganisation N Communities in 0alaysiaT,
httpEFF.nrirealtynes.comFmalaysia.phpI Sinnappah, op cit.,
3+. See, Indian !ssociations in !ustraliaT, at,
httpEFF.indiao-.com.auF!ssociationsF
33. See, 'ambiar, D 9E )ur Seafaring in the Indian )cean, Heevan $ublications,
.anglore, +<?AI $annikar, 9 0E !sia and :estern Dominance, (eorge !llen
and "nin, #ondon, +<A6I $annikar, 9 0E Indian and the Indian )cean,
(eorge !llen and "nin, #ondon, +<=AI /oussaint, !ugusteE 7istory of the
Indian )cean, 5outledge and 9egan $aul, #ondon, +<BBI .erlin, Donald #,
SIndia in the Indian )ceanT, 0a)al -ar +ollege *e)ie', Spring 388B.
36. Chaudhuri, 9. 'E /rade and Civilisation in the Indian )ceanE an Economic
7istory >rom the 5ise of Islam to +?A8, Cambridge "niversity $ress, +<<<I
0argariti, 5oxani EleniE !den N the Indian )cean tradeE +A8 years in the life
of a 0edieval !rabian port, /he "niversity of 'orth Carolina $ress, 388?I
>orbes (eraldine, /omlinson, . 5 .ose, SugataE /he 'e Cambridge
6+
7istory of India, Cambridge "niversity $ress, +<;<, Chapter +I 9earney,
0iloE /he Indian )cean in :orld 7istory, 5outledge, #ondon, 388=.
3=. See, Indian 0issions and posts abroad, 0inistry of External !ffairs,
(overnment of India, available at,
httpEFFmeaindia.nic.inFonmouseFmission.htmI SIndian Embassies N
ConsulatesT, at, httpEFF.kotan.orgFtibetFembassiesGindia.html.
3A. !shraf, >ahmidaE "S%Ira2 :arE IndiaLs 0iddle East $olicy, Institute of
Strategic Studies, Islamabad, 3886.
3B. India has Cultural Exchange $rogramme &CE$* to promote cooperation in the
fields of art N culture, youth affairs N sports and mass media. "nder cultural
exchange, India and the partner exchange the visits of scholarsFacademicians
in the field of art, culture and literature and also dance, music, theatre.
Cultural exchange is carried out by /he Indian Council for Cultural
5elations, an autonomous organisation of the (overnment of India, involved
in IndiaMs external cultural relations. See, Singh, 9aran, SCultural diplomacy
not luxuryT, /he 7indu, September, 6, 388AI /albott, StrobeE Engaging IndiaE
diplomacy, democracy, and the bombE ! 0emoir, .rookings Institution $ress,
388=I also visit, httpEFF.iccrindia.netF
3?. /he activities of the centers have a greater intellectual focus on lectures,
panel discussions and seminars on sub,ects of contemporary and cultural
interest, aimed primarily at enhancing an understanding of India. Indian
Council for Cultural 5elations &ICC5* has established its ne Cultural
Centres at .angkok, /okyo, 9uala #umpur, !bu Dhabi and Dhaka. /he
other centres in the pipeline are at /himpu, 0exico City, Sao $aulo, Dar%es%
Salaam, .udapest, Cangon, $aris, :ashington, 7anoi, #agos, $rague,
Singapore, 5ome and 9uait. See,
httpEFF.iccrindia.netFforeigncentres.html
3;. /he Indian /echnical and Economic Cooperation &I/EC* programme as
launched on +Ath September, +<B= as a bilateral programme of assistance of
the (overnment of India. It is the flagship programme of the Indian
(overmentLs technical cooperation effort, not only because of its ide
geographical coverage but also for innovative forms of technical cooperation.
.eing essentially bilateral in nature, I/EC is about cooperation and
partnership for mutual benefit. It is demand%driven and response%oriented. It
is focused on addressing the needs of developing countries. "nder I/EC and
its corollary SC!!$ &Special Commonealth !ssistance for !frica
63
$rogramme*, +A; countries in !sia, $acific, !frica, #atin !merica, Caribbean
and East N Central Europe are invited to share in the Indian development
experience, ac2uired since its Independence. See, (overnment of India,
0inistry of External !ffairs, at, httpEFFitec.mea.gov.inF
3<. 9umar, $ranav, SContours of IndiaLs Cultural Diplomacy in Southeast !siaT,
Institute of $eace and Conflict Studies,
httpEFF.ipcs.orgFarticleGdetails.phpRarticle'oV3AA<I !lso see,
S(overnment of India Scholarships for International StudentsT, at,
httpEFF.india.gov.inFoverseasFstudyGindiaFscholarshipsGinternational.php
68. See, Ibid,
6+. >or details about the Cusuf Dadoo and 0onty 'aicker, Scholarships, see
official :ebsite of 7igh Commission of India at Hohannesburg, at,
httpEFF.indiainsouthafrica.comF
63. /hrough the /CS of Colombo $lan, the (overnment of India bears the cost
of training to foreign participants by providing for the airfare, tuition fee, and
accommodation and living alloance. /his scheme is administered by the
Department of Economic !ffairs, under the 0inistry of >inance, (overnment
of India. >or details see, /echnical Cooperation Scheme &/CS* of Colombo
$lan, and S!!5C Chair, >elloship and Scholarship Scheme at,
httpEFF.indianhighcommission.com.myFeducationtcs.php and .saarc%
sec.orgFareaofcooperationFdetail.phpRactivityGidV+B
66. >or recommendations of #. 0. Singhvi Committee on the Indian Diaspora,
see, /he Indian Diaspora, at, httpEFF.indiandiaspora.nic.inF
6=. /he event has been organi-ed every year since the year of 3886, and is
sponsored by the 0inistry of )verseas Indian !ffairs and >ederation of
Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry &>ICCI*. /he occasion is
marked by special programs to recogni-e the contributions of '5IF$I)
individuals of exceptional merit, felicitate '5IF$I) individuals ho have
made exceptional contribution in their chosen fieldFprofession &$ravasi
.haratiya Samman &7indiE '5IF$I) !ard** and provide a forum to
discuss issues and concerns that people of the Diaspora. See,
httpEFF.indiandiaspora.nic.inFpbdivas.htm
6A. >or list and detail see, $ravasi .haratiya Samman, from :ikipedia, the free
encyclopedia, at, httpEFFen.ikipedia.orgFikiF$ravasiG.haratiyaGSamman.
6B. SCabinet secretariat to take a final call on $I) universityT, !he Economic
!imes, )ctober 3, 388B
66
6B. Chishti, 0u-affar, S/he 5ise in 5emittances to IndiaE ! Closer #ookT,
0igration $olicy Institute, >ebruary, 388?I !iyer, Saminathan S.
!nklesaria. 4!n "nexpected .onan-a from the '5Is4, The Economic
Times, 0ay 3A, 388A.
6?. Chishti, op cit,
6;. Debabrata $atra, 0ichael and 9apur 0uneesh, SIndiaMs orker remittancesE a
"sersM #ament about bop compilationT, Sixteenth 0eeting of the I0>
Committee on .alance of $ayments Statistics :ashington D.C., December +JA,
3886I also see, (ulati, I2bal and !shok 0ody, S5emittances of Indian 0igrants
to the 0iddle%EastE !n !ssessment ith Special 5eference to 0igrants from
9erala StateT, ESC!$, D$F5I#0, .angkok, +<;A.
6<. SCulture /ourism in IndiaT, at, httpEFF.indialine.comFtravelFcultureF
=8. Chilana, 5a,ant S, SInformation N 5esearch 5esources on Indian CinemaE !
(lobal Survey of $rinted, Digital and )nline 0aterialsT, "niversity of Illinois at
"rbana%Champaign, "rbanaI Sinha, Sanchita parth, S(lobalisation of Indian cinemaT,
at, httpEFF.merines.comFarticleFglobalisation%of%indian%cinemaF+A?<==8B.shtml
=+. Ibid,
**************
6=